Download Understanding the Resident

Chapter 6
Understanding the Resident
Copyright © 2007, 2003 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.

CARING FOR THE PERSON

For effective care, you must consider the whole
person.
 The whole person has physical, social, psychological,
and spiritual parts.
• These parts are woven together and cannot be separated.
• Each part relates to and depends on the others.
 Disability and illness affect the whole person.
Copyright © 2007, 2003 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.
Slide 2

Addressing the person
• Call residents by their titles.
• Do not call residents by their first names unless they ask
you to.
• Do not call residents by any other name unless they ask
you to.
• Do not call residents Grandma, Papa, Sweetheart,
Honey, or other names.
Copyright © 2007, 2003 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.
Slide 3

BASIC NEEDS

According to Abraham Maslow:
• Basic needs must be met for a person to survive and
function.
• The needs are arranged in order of importance.
• Lower-level needs must be met before the higher-level
needs.
Copyright © 2007, 2003 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.
Slide 4

Basic needs, from the lowest level to the highest
level, are:
• Physiological or physical needs
• Safety and security needs
• Love and belonging needs
• Self-esteem needs
• The need for self-actualization
 People normally meet their own needs.
Copyright © 2007, 2003 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.
Slide 5

CULTURE AND RELIGION

Culture is the characteristics of a group of people
passed from one generation to the next.
• The person’s culture:
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Influences health beliefs and practices
Affects behavior during illness and when in a nursing center
Copyright © 2007, 2003 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.
Slide 6

Religion relates to spiritual beliefs, needs, and
practices.
• A person’s religion influences health and illness
practices.
• Many people find comfort and strength from religion
during illness.

The nursing process reflects the person’s culture
and religion.
• Do not judge the person by your standards.
Copyright © 2007, 2003 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.
Slide 7

EFFECTS OF ILLNESS AND DISABILITY

Sickness and injury have physical, psychological,
and social effects.
 Anger is a common response to illness and
disability.
• To help the person feel safe, secure, and loved:
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Take an extra minute to “visit,” to hold a hand, or to give a
hug.
Show that you are willing to help with personal needs.
Respond promptly.
Treat each person with respect and dignity.
Copyright © 2007, 2003 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.
Slide 8

Optimal level of function
• Residents are helped to maintain their optimal level of
function.
• Encourage the person to be as independent as possible.
• Always focus on the person’s abilities.
Copyright © 2007, 2003 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.
Slide 9

NURSING CENTER RESIDENTS

Alert, oriented residents
 Confused and disoriented residents
 Complete care residents
 Short-term residents
 Life-long residents
 Mentally ill residents
 Terminally ill residents
Copyright © 2007, 2003 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.
Slide 10

BEHAVIOR ISSUES

People who do not adjust well have some of the
following behaviors:
• Anger
• Demanding behavior
• Self-centered behavior
• Aggressive behavior
• Withdrawal
• Inappropriate sexual behavior
 A person’s behavior may be unpleasant.
• You cannot avoid the person or lose control.
• Good communication is needed.
• Follow the care plan.
Copyright © 2007, 2003 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.
Slide 11

FOR EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION:

Use words that have the same meaning for you
and the person.
 Avoid medical terms and words not familiar to the
person.
 Communicate in a logical and orderly manner.
 Give facts and be specific.
 Be brief and concise.
 Understand and respect the resident as a person.
 View the person as a physical, psychological,
social, and spiritual human being.
Copyright © 2007, 2003 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.
Slide 12
Appreciate the person’s problems and frustrations.
 Respect the person’s rights.
 Respect the person’s religion and culture.
 Give the person time to process the information
that you give.
 Repeat information as often as needed.
 Ask questions to see if the person understood you.
 Be patient.
 Include the person in conversations when others
are present.

Copyright © 2007, 2003 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.
Slide 13

Follow these rules for spoken communication:
• Face the person.
• Position yourself at the person’s eye level.
• Control the loudness and tone of your voice.
• Speak clearly, slowly, and distinctly.
• Do not use slang or vulgar words.
• Repeat information as needed.
• Ask one question at a time.
• Do not shout, whisper, or mumble.
• Be kind, courteous, and friendly.
 The written word is used when the person cannot
speak or hear but can read.
Copyright © 2007, 2003 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.
Slide 14

Nonverbal communication does not use words.
• Touch is a very important form of nonverbal
communication.
• Body language involves:
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

Facial expressions
Gestures
Posture
Hand and body movements
Gait
Eye contact
Appearance
Copyright © 2007, 2003 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.
Slide 15

Communication methods
• Listening means to focus on verbal and nonverbal
•
•
•
•
•
•
communication.
Paraphrasing is restating the person’s message in your
own words.
Direct questions focus on certain information.
Open-ended questions lead or invite the person to share
thoughts, feelings, or ideas.
Clarifying lets you make sure that you understand the
message.
Focusing is dealing with a certain topic.
Silence is a very powerful way to communicate.
Copyright © 2007, 2003 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.
Slide 16

Communication barriers include:
• Using unfamiliar language
• Cultural differences
• Changing the subject
• Giving your opinion
• Talking a lot when others are silent
• Failure to listen
• Pat answers
• Illness and disability
• Age
Copyright © 2007, 2003 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.
Slide 17

RESIDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

A person may acquire a disability any time from
birth through old age.
 People with disabilities:
• Have the same basic needs as you and everyone else
• Have the right to dignity and respect just like you and
everyone else
Copyright © 2007, 2003 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.
Slide 18

The person who is comatose is unconscious.
• The person cannot respond to others.
• The person often can hear and can feel touch and pain.
• Assume that the person hears and understands you.
• Use touch and give care gently.
• Knock before entering the person’s room.
• Tell the person your name, the time, and the place every
time you enter the room.
Copyright © 2007, 2003 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.
Slide 19
•
•
•
•
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Give care on the same schedule every day.
Explain what you are going to do.
Tell the person when you are finishing care.
Use touch to communicate care, concern, and comfort.
Tell the person what time you will be back to check on
him or her.
• Tell the person when you are leaving the room.
Copyright © 2007, 2003 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.
Slide 20

FAMILY AND FRIENDS

Family and friends:
• Help meet safety and security, love and belonging, and
self-esteem needs
• Offer support and comfort
• Lessen loneliness
• Often help with the person’s care

The presence or absence of family or friends
affects the person’s quality of life.
Copyright © 2007, 2003 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.
Slide 21

QUALITY OF LIFE

The resident is the most important person in the
nursing center.
 Learn as much as you can about a person’s
religious and cultural beliefs and practices.
 Illness and disability affect quality of life.
• Always focus on the person’s abilities.
 Always treat family and visitors with respect.
Copyright © 2007, 2003 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.
Slide 22